Love Life Sober

In this episode of Love Life Sober, Christy shares a powerful testimony about stopping drinking and finding freedom from alcohol through faith. Shantel Chandler shares her journey from struggling with alcohol to living alcohol-free, and how God used conviction, community, and surrender to break a drinking stronghold. Just 15 months ago, Shantel was at the very beginning of her journey—listening to the podcast, reading Christy’s book, and wondering if freedom could actually be real for her. Today, she’s living alcohol-free and sharing what changed as a Fast Captain, apart of the Love Life Sober community. Shantel opens up about how alcohol first entered her life as a confidence boost in high school, how it became a coping mechanism through heartbreak and loneliness, and how it eventually turned into a stronghold during some of the hardest seasons of her life—including motherhood, moving, stress, and navigating her child’s Type 1 diabetes diagnosis. But this story is also about the slow and steady way God pursued her—through a sister’s gentle comment, through sermons she couldn’t forget, through discipleship that felt like grace instead of condemnation, and finally through the moment she woke up and prayed, “Okay God, I’m done… but I don’t know how.” If you’ve ever felt the Holy Spirit tugging at your heart and you’re not quite sure what to do with it, this conversation will feel incredibly familiar. If you’ve ever thought… “I don’t know where I fit.”“I’m keeping this secret.”“I love Jesus… but I can’t stop.”“This has a grip on me.” This episode is for you. What You’ll Learn • How Shantel’s drinking began as a way to feel confident and fit in• How heartbreak and divorce shifted alcohol from “fun” to coping• What it was like becoming a single mom, rediscovering faith, and still living in a drinking cycle• Why major stress can deepen alcohol’s grip—including moving, isolation, and parenting through medical challenges like Type 1 Diabetes• The tension of wanting Christian community while still hiding struggles• What conviction felt like for Shantel and how God used sermons and conversations to pierce her heart• The difference between white-knuckling a fast and surrendering a stronghold• How community support helped her stop hiding and begin healing Links & Resources Join the Love Life Sober Communityhttps://lovelifesober.co.uk/community Join the Lent 40-Day Alcohol Fasthttps://lovelifesober.co.uk/the-fast Order Christy’s BookLove Life Sober: A 40 Day Alcohol Fast to Rediscover Your Joy, Improve Your Health, and Renew Your Mindhttps://lovelifesober.co.uk/book Connect on Instagram@lovelifesoberwithchristy Subscribe on YouTube — Come hang with us! Disclaimer The creators, hosts, and producers of the Love Life Sober podcast are not healthcare practitioners and therefore do not give medical, psychological, or professional advice nor intend for the podcast or any Love Life Sober communication to substitute for such. Views and opinions expressed in any referenced or linked resources do not necessarily reflect those of the Love Life Sober team or guests. Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Christy is joined by Dr. Lee Warren, neurosurgeon, author, and one of the most grounded voices on faith, suffering, and the way God designed our brains to heal. They discuss his powerful book The Life-Changing Art of Self-Brain Surgery and how his “Ten Commandments” for mental and emotional health can help people break free from alcohol, stop believing every thought they think, and rebuild a life they actually want to live. Dr. Lee also shares the tender story of how grief reshaped his purpose after losing his son Mitch, and why your pain matters—even if someone else’s pain looks “worse.” If you’ve ever thought… “My trauma is too big… nothing can help me.”“My feelings feel true, so they must be true.”“One drink means I’ve ruined everything.” This conversation offers hope, practical tools, and a reminder that changing your thinking can truly change your life. What You’ll Learn: • Why your pain is valid and why comparing trauma keeps you stuck• How your brain can heal through Neuroplasticity (and why you’re not “stuck” with the brain you have)• Why feelings aren’t facts and how to practice curiosity instead of reacting• What Dr. Lee calls the “tomorrow tax” and why “no anesthesia allowed” changes everything• Whether the effects of alcohol on the brain can improve over time in recovery• What happens when you slip—and how to learn instead of spiral when building new pathways 💌 Links & Resources Dr. Lee’s Book:The Life-Changing Art of Self-Brain SurgeryConnecting Neuroscience and Faith to Radically Transform Your Lifehttps://amzn.to/40EZs7i Join the Love Life Sober Communityhttps://lovelifesober.co.uk/community Order Christy’s BookLove Life Sober: A 40 Day Alcohol Fast to Rediscover Your Joy, Improve Your Health, and Renew Your Mindhttps://lovelifesober.co.uk/book Learn more about the Life Recovery Bible by visiting:https://hubs.la/Q041HjWm0 Connect on Instagram:@lovelifesoberwithchristy Subscribe on YouTube — Come hang with us! Disclaimer The creators, hosts, and producers of the Love Life Sober podcast are not healthcare practitioners and therefore do not give medical, psychological, or professional advice, nor intend for the podcast or any Love Life Sober communication to substitute for such. Views and opinions expressed in any referenced or linked resources do not necessarily reflect those of the Love Life Sober team or guests. Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

During "International Women’s Day" week, this is a powerful reminder that God has always been in the business of empowering women, redeeming messy stories, and calling ordinary people into extraordinary courage. Christy is joined by her dear friend Laura L. Smith, author of Brave Woman, Mighty God, for a conversation that feels like a deep exhale and a holy pep talk all at once. Laura shares why Mary Magdalene is her favorite woman in the Bible right now, how God consistently chooses the overlooked, and why your past doesn’t disqualify you from purpose. If you’ve been feeling, “Not me… I’m too far gone,” Laura brings it home with the story of Gomer in the book of Book of Hosea and the relentless love of God that keeps coming back for us again and again. And if you’re exhausted from waiting, she offers the most grounding encouragement: God gives us daily bread, not next year’s feast… and He will meet you today, right where you are. You’ll also hear a powerful moment unpacking “Talitha Koum” (little girl, get up) from the Gospel of Mark — and the truth that Jesus is not too busy, you’re not a waste of His time, and your story isn’t over. If you’ve ever thought… • “I’m too far gone for God to use me.”• “I’ve tried a million times… I’ll probably just fail again.”• “Why does it feel like everyone else is ahead of me?” You’re going to feel seen in this one, babe 🩷 What You’ll Learn In This Episode • Why Mary Magdalene is proof that Jesus doesn’t choose the “qualified,” He qualifies the chosen • The story of Gomer and what it reveals about God’s relentless, pursuing love • How to keep going when you’re tired of waiting and God feels quiet • Why comparison is a trap, and how the story of Mary and Martha sets you free • A truth to anchor you when you’re afraid the past will repeat itself Links & Resources Get Laura’s book, Brave Woman, Mighty God (limited-time Kindle offer) Join the Love Life Sober Communityhttps://lovelifesober.co.uk/community Learn more about the Tyndale Life Recovery Biblehttps://hubs.la/Q041HjWm0 Order Christy’s book, Love Life Sober: A 40 Day Alcohol Fast to Rediscover Your Joy, Improve Your Health, and Renew Your Mindhttps://lovelifesober.co.uk/book Connect on Instagram: @lovelifesoberwithchristySubscribe on YouTube — Come hang with us! Disclaimer The creators, hosts, and producers of the Love Life Sober podcast are not healthcare practitioners and therefore do not give medical, psychological, or professional advice nor intend for the podcast or any Love Life Sober communication to substitute for such. Views and opinions expressed in any referenced or linked resources do not necessarily reflect those of the Love Life Sober team or guests. Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Childless not by choice carries a grief many women silently numb with alcohol. In this episode of Love Life Sober, Maureen Benkovich shares how infertility, miscarriage, and a failed adoption fueled years of binge drinking—and how surrendering to God led to lasting freedom. Christy sits down with Maureen Benkovich, Alcohol Freedom Coach, author, speaker, and host of the Sober Fit Life podcast, for a powerful conversation about infertility grief, childlessness not by choice, and the hidden pain only God could heal. A former fitness professional who outwardly embodied discipline and success, Maureen shares how miscarriage, infertility, and a failed adoption quietly shaped her identity and fueled years of binge drinking, depression, and the exhausting detox-to-retox cycle. She opens up about the “untangible” grief of not becoming a mother, the party-girl persona she used to survive, and the moment she stopped asking God for moderation and instead surrendered completely. This episode is for the woman who feels stuck, unseen, and tired of numbing her sorrow with wine. There is a way out—and it begins with laying it down. If You’ve Ever Thought… • “Why would God let this happen to me?” • “I don’t know who I am if I’m not a mom.” • “Alcohol is the only thing that helps me get through the sadness.” This episode is for you. What You’ll Learn in This Episode • How infertility grief and a failed adoption quietly escalated Maureen’s drinking over time • Why alcohol can trap you in rumination, depression, and emotional stuckness • The detox-to-retox cycle and how it keeps you feeling “fine”… until you’re not • What it looks like to rebuild identity when motherhood doesn’t happen • Why moderation wasn’t the answer—and what finally changed everything • How faith, community, and renewing your mind create new pathways forward • Practical encouragement for women who are childless not by choice and feeling alone Links & Resources Maureen’s website:soberfitchick.com 🌟 Join the Love Life Sober Communityhttps://lovelifesober.co.uk/community 🌿 Join the Lent 40-Day Alcohol Fasthttps://lovelifesober.co.uk/the-fast 📖 Order Love Life Sober: A 40 Day Alcohol Fast to Rediscover Your Joy, Improve Your Health, and Renew Your Mindhttps://lovelifesober.co.uk/book Learn more about the Tyndale Life Recovery Bible:https://hubs.la/Q041HjWm0 Connect on Instagram: @lovelifesoberwithchristySubscribe on YouTube — Come hang with us!  Disclaimer The creators, hosts, and producers of the Love Life Sober podcast are not healthcare practitioners and do not provide medical, psychological, or professional advice. Content is not intended to substitute professional care. Views expressed by guests do not necessarily reflect those of the Love Life Sober team. Content Note: This episode includes discussion of suicide. Listener discretion is advised. Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

In this special episode of Love Life Sober, Christy is joined by the incredible women who help lead the Love Life Sober community—our Fast Captains and coaches. These are the women cheering you on, praying for you by name, and walking alongside you as you take courageous steps toward alcohol-free freedom. As we prepare for the upcoming Lent 40-Day Alcohol Fast, this conversation gives you a behind-the-scenes look at the heart of the community and the women who make it such a safe, faith-filled place to land. You’ll hear their stories, their why, and the powerful ways they’ve seen God move when women choose to lay alcohol down and draw closer to Him. If you’ve ever wondered what makes this Christian alcohol-free community different—or you’ve been hovering over the “join” button feeling equal parts curious and terrified—this episode is your invitation. If You’ve Ever Thought… “I don’t know if I’m ready for something like this.”“What if I fail again?”“Do I really belong in a community like that?” Babe, this episode is for you. What You’ll Learn In This Episode • Why a Christ-centered community creates lasting freedom• What makes the Love Life Sober fasts different from other alcohol-free spaces• Why fear is often the very thing keeping you from the freedom you want• The truth about “starting again” and why nothing is ever wasted in God’s hands• The beauty and power of joining a fast during the Lent season• Why taking a break from alcohol is less about restriction and more about discovering who God created you to be Links & Resources 🌿 Join the Lent 40-Day Alcohol Fasthttps://lovelifesober.co.uk/the-fast 📖 Order Christy’s book, Love Life Sober: A 40 Day Alcohol Fast to Rediscover Your Joy, Improve Your Health, and Renew Your Mindhttps://lovelifesober.co.uk/book 📖 Learn more about the Tyndale Life Recovery Biblehttps://hubs.la/Q041HjWm0 Connect on Instagram: @lovelifesoberwithchristy Subscribe on YouTube — Come hang with us! Disclaimer The creators, hosts, and producers of the Love Life Sober podcast are not healthcare practitioners and therefore do not give medical, psychological, or professional advice nor intend for the podcast or any Love Life Sober communication to substitute for such. Views and opinions expressed in any referenced or linked resources do not necessarily reflect those of the Love Life Sober team or guests. Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.